Looking at getting a retractable awning for our Pajero. Just a square shape is fine…don't think we need something elaborate like bat-wing shape or anything…
Seems to be an overwhelming number of brands and models to choose from. Any tips on brands that are decent quality and likely to last a while?
Decent Quality 4wd Awning Brands?
omghi2u on 01/07/2025 - 16:07
Comments
Not Kings
These guys make a semi- decent pop up market gazebo
https://www.oztrail.com.au/collections/rooftop-tents-awnings…Look for better materials (structure and awning cloth itself. Material type and weight) , warranty and good reviews.
https://www.oztrail.com.au/collections/rooftop-tents-awnings…
Maybe go with Aussie made?
Not Kings
agree.
Oztrail is low tier with mid tier pricing. I would recommend avoiding if possible.
You could be right.O'm basing on market stall gazebo we have.It has done very well.
I mean a quality locally made option will be the best bet if OP wants a 'buy once' solution.Are you sure its locally made stuff? Their website proudly promotes aussie owned and designed, but doesnt mention aussie made. I'm sure they would be shouting from the rooftops if it was locally made.
@Euphemistic: Maybe not, then.My bad
My first post up the top, with the 2 links, the second link was supposed to be this one>https://outbackreview.com.au/the-best-awnings-australia/
There's locally made awning/s in the list
When we were camping last summer, there were many 4WD with awnings around I think many of them were "King", or "Kings" brand something like that.
But its not euro?
Nice euphemism! I do not have 4WD, so I do not know whether it is or not.
We had ordered awnings for the beach house from Germany -> https://www.markilux.comlmao
Depending on your budget, either Kings, Dune (sold via Anaconda) or XTM (via BCF or SCA). You can get XTM for the right price, they have 25% off tonight at SCA.
I have used the Kings stuff and it is good as a budget brand. I've used a lot of their 12V stuff and Fridges. This depends on your use case and how often you use it. I have a XTM one in the garage that I bought cause it was on clearance, still in the box for future.
Free standing Foxwing style are worth awesome.. Love mine, got it second hand from a bloke in the club.
For shade or to sleep/sit under in poo weather they are good
but depends on your usage… What do you want to do with it? Sleep under it? Sit in the shade? out of rain? Food Prep out the back?
They arent really retractable, that tends to describe ones that are at least partially self folding.
That aside, what do you want it for? How often do you think it will be used? Most of them come out of a handful of factories with a different sticker at the end. King are cheap and cheerful. ARB seem OK. Got an XTM on a car my kid bought, but hasnt been used yet. Cover seems well made.
Can pick them up pretty cheap second hand, often hardly used. I bought one for $50 and pick up one from the side of the road (had a free sign on it). Was too big so i sold it.
Mine lives in the garage mosf of the time. Only goes on for trips when ill actually use it. Rest of the time it would just sit in the sun, add wind noise and cost (a bit) of fuel.
I was mainly thinking to just to provide a bit of shade when i want to set up somewhere and have a cuppa. Might be nice if the weather is a bit inclement too.
The roll out awnings arent awesome for a quick stop. Have a look at some set up videos to see if its for you. Not an eaay setup for one person.
They do say, buy once cry once meaning to get the best you can afford, but id say get a cheap one and see if you use it enough. Dont forget to allow for some brackets in your budget.
2.0 x 2.5m go for abt $50 off fb marketplace. we got one of those for $100 because it came with quick release clamps
Also see if there's any 4x4 field days or shows around at the moment, or go to Tentworld et al, store and maybe have a gander.
Cheap: XTM, Dune, Kings
Mid: OCAM
Top: 23Zero, DarcheAll will work, expect better bag, zips, and longevity from the more expensive ones. I recommend getting a cheap one for your first one as you probably won't use it all that often.
There's a 4wd expo coming up later in the year if you can wait.
Definitely see how big you want it and confirm that you can setup it up and pack it away by yourself, if it's likely you'll be going solo.
A friend switched from Kings, when it failed, to Rhino and the quality increase was decent enough with the added bonus of not having Kings emblazoned on the side of it.. that said the king's survived a fair few trips and was included as part of another deal.
Just wait for the semi regular price drops on the Anaconda ones. They are fine for occasional use and you'll get it for around $79.
Just throw away the supplied pegs and buy some of those screw in sand pegs for the beach.Don't ask on Ozbargain, most of the people here (myself included) wouldn't have the best idea. For example, the first person who replied said get a Kings awning because they're decent enough quality at average prices. The second response said don't get kings.
My advice, find a facebook group and ask there (or search different keywords within that group), you'll get responses from people who frequently 4wd and know more than the average OBer.
Don't ask on Ozbargain, most of the people here (myself included) wouldn't have the best idea
and this could happen on any topic, so are you saying not to post any questions related to anything on OzBargain?
you'll get responses from people who frequently 4wd and know more
and whats the bet that some still recommend Kings? At least at a starting point.
If you’re on OB for long enough you’ll notice there is a trend in the types/categories of deals posted, which is an indication of the types of interests of the average OBer. 4wd deals are very few and far between, which would lead me to think the average OBer doesn’t have an overly strong interest in that area.
At no point did I say nobody on OB knows anything, I said you’d be better off asking in a Facebook group that has 1000s of people who do this sort of thing every month or two as they would likely have a better idea about the stronger and weaker points of awnings from different brands. I also suggested to search keywords in Facebook groups as that can both answer your question and give you even more information than you originally intended on finding.
I’m sure plenty of people will recommend Kings, I’ve got a few of their products myself and I’m not here to bad mouth them at all. They have some products that are a great quality and some that aren’t. I figured that out by joining some of those Facebook groups and reading about it.
When I saw the word decent quality in the title, my first thought was not Kings.
I recently bought a Drifta Stockton side awning. Pretty happy with price / quality ratio. You need to be able to pick it up from a retailer because postage is a killer.
Kings gear from what I have seen of what my friends have, is lower quality than other cheap brands.
I chose a Dune one from Anaconda, it offered best value of features compared to other cheap brands (XTM, Kings, Oztrail)
I like that it had a lining. Going strong now for a few camping trips a year
Never had an issue with any of my Kings awnings. Stood up in rain and wind. I feel like the only people that do have issues with them haven't set them up properly or used the guy ropes to secure it.
When you say retractable, do you mean something like this? https://www.outbackequipment.com.au/fiamma-f35-pro-deluxe-gr…
Most of the square awning are a pain in the backside to deploy especially if you're doing it yourself. You need to unroll it, unclip and lengthen the legs and then quickly get the guys out so that it doesnt collapse. If its windy you can forget it.
You may want to look at Bushwaka as they do decent stuff. Also something like this one may suit and it is free standing, although I wouldnt trust it if its too windy. https://www.bushwakka.com.au/products/the-extreme-square
It may be more than you're thinking to spend, but if you buy a half decent awning and then decide its not for you, you can sell it and get a fair chunk of your money back. I dont think you could with the cheaper gear.
Adventure Kings is the go-to IKEA of 4WD accessories. Decent enough quality at average prices.
https://au.adventurekings.com/camping-and-outdoor/awning-and…